Nut milks are my favorite plant milks, but this homemade quinoa milk has an amazing taste and also has less amount of fat. It's similar to oat milk, although you can make it with raw oats and in this case you need to cook the quinoa first.
The only two necessary ingredients here are these: water and quinoa. I've also added ground cinnamon and dates because this way the milk tastes better, but it's optional and you can add other ingredients like cocoa powder or any sweetener you want. I usually use dates to make plant milks because is not as expensive as other sweeteners and it's really healthy.
This quinoa milk is a great cow's milk alternative and kids love it, especially with cocoa powder, but avoid store bought cocoa drinks, they are full of sugar an another unhealthy ingredients. Carob powder is a better choice, but if you can't find it use unsweetened cocoa powder.
Some people make this milk using raw quinoa, but quinoa has a coating of saponins, so you need to wash it very well before using it and it's better to cook it instead of using it raw.
To make the quinoa milk I've used a plant milk maker called Chufamix, it's super easy to use and so useful. Anyways, you don't need it to make this recipe, you can use a blender and a strainer to remove the pulp, but if your blender is very powerful, you don’t need to strain the milk. To strain it, you can use a strainer, a napkin or a cheesecloth, you choose.
Quinoa is an excellent source of protein and contains the eight essential amino acids, so it’s a perfect food for vegans and vegetarians. It’s gluten-free, has a low glycemic index, it’s also high in fiber, it regulates cholesterol levels, prevent constipation and it’s rich in essential fatty acids (omega 3 and omega 6), potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, magnesium and vitamins B and E. Awesome!
If you prefer a thicker, tastier homemade quinoa milk you can add more quinoa, if you prefer a quinoa milk lower in calories you can add less. Make your own plant milks at home, it's super easy and they taste much better.
Homemade Quinoa Milk
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa according to package directions.
- Blend the quinoa with the water until well blended and almost smooth.
- Strain the blended quinoa mixture using a cheesecloth or a strainer.
- Pour the quinoa milk in a blender and blend with the dates and cinnamon.
- Store the quinoa milk in a sealed container in the fridge for 3 or 4 days.
Notes
- Nutrition information has been calculated before straining the milk.
Dean Panicker says
Hey Iosune, this idea is massive , I’m going to try this right away. Very well explained and thank you so much for sharing..
Iosune says
Hi Dean! You're so welcome 🙂 Hope you like it!
Cynthia G. says
I got somewhere and didn’t have milk, but had quinoa. I looked up quinoa milk and found this recipe. It worked great! Thank you. You saved me. I must confess, I added a smidge of nutmeg with the cinnamon; it was a nice addition, but I love the taste of nutmeg. I have a ginger spice blend I may try next time. Thanks again. Your recipe is a definite keeper!
Iosune says
Hi Cynthia! Sounds greast 🙂 SO glad you liked it!
sanny says
hey iosune! wanted to know after straining this, is it the same nutritional values meaning how many calories carbs, fat and protein its left after straining! it sucks that every where i look for recipes no one really puts the info that way i know how many calories my child is getting since i don't want to give her any store bought cows milk or nut milk, id been trying to perfect hemp milk since it has all the nutrients and i started mixing the hemp with quinoa. like does the quinoa milk when blending keeps all the nutrients in the liquid? in the back of my quinoa milk it says 1/2 cup dried 7 grams of protein, 35 carbs 4 in fiber and 160 calories. what you think?
Iosune says
Hi Sanny! It's really difficult to know the nutritional information of this recipe because you discard the pulp. I think it's not important, as long as you're eating healthy food until you're satisfied, the calories are not important 🙂
Mir says
Silly question, is the 1 cup of quinoa already cooked, or raw? Meaning, how much cooked quinoa do you add to the water? Thanks. My allergic kid will be so happy with this alternative.
Iosune says
Hi Mir! As you can see in the ingredient list, it's cooked quinoa 🙂
Tammy Travis says
I am a little confused still. are you measuring the 1 cup quinoa BEFORE you cook it? Because I know it swells up.
Iosune says
Hi Tammy! It's 1 cup of cooked quinoa, so I measure it once it's cooked 🙂
Ellen Wang says
Hi iosune says, Quinoa will expand 4 times after it was cooked! So for everyone who asked, just do the math! Hope this helps!
Iosune Robles says
Thanks for your kind help 🙂 Have a nice day!
Kate C. says
I have previously made homemade soy milk, rice milk, and oat milk. I tried your quinoa milk recipe without the dates a while ago and didn't particularly care for the taste. Tonight I decided to try it again, this time with dates, and it is much better. I really like the fact that quinoa has complete protein. I may enrich this a bit with calcium next time I make it so that it is an even better substitute for cow's milk.
Iosune says
Hi Kate! Thanks a lot for your comment. Quinoa is a great source of protein 😀
Cristina says
Hey! great recipe! Can’t wait to try it. Any idea on what to do with the pulp? I hate to throw it away
Iosune says
Hi Cristina! Thanks a lot 🙂 You could add it to your soups or smoothies. Have a nice day!
T says
Is there much pulp? If so, what can I do with the pulp?
Iosune says
Hi T! Not so much if you use a powerful blender 🙂
Janne Ploquin says
I use the pulp left over for smoothies. Just put it in a container in the fridge and put a few spoonfuls in my husbands whey shakes in the morning.
Iosune says
Hi Janne! I also use the pulp to make smoothies as well, they're delicious! 🙂
Louise says
Do you think this would hold up as an alternative to cows' milk in cooked recipes? I'm looking for a healthy, cheaper milk substitute to cook with.
Iosune says
Hi Louise! I think any plant milk can be used instead of cows milk. I love almond, coconut, soy and oat milk, but this is also a great alternative. Take a look at this post: http://simpleveganblog.com/9-easy-plant-milk-recipes/ Have a nice day!
Melissa F says
Hello! I'm wondering if I can double or even triple the recipe. Any idea? I currently use almond milk for overnight oats for my husband and I but I'd love to try this instead. Seems like it would taste heavenly in the oats.
Iosune says
Hi Melissa! Yes, you can 🙂 Have a nice day!
Yolanda says
Just don't feed to babies.
X says
Thanks very interesting article. And beneficial to those who are committed to good health.
Iosune says
Hi X! Thanks a lot for your comment 😀
Kimmy says
This is amazing! I'll have to try it 🙂
Iosune says
Thanks a lot Kimmy! Hope you like it 😉
Nanc says
Can I leave the dates out?
Iosune says
Hi Nanc! Of course you can. Feel free to add your favorite sweetener 😉
Rita Worlock says
Hi,
I am in the U.S. and I want to buy the chufamix, but I can't seem to find a company that sells it here. Can you help?
Best,
Rita
Iosune says
Hi Rita! I'm so sorry, but I can't help you because I live in Spain. Maybe you could send them an email, this is their web: https://www.chufamix.com. Have a nice day!
nylongirl says
Does Quinoa milk make your body alkaline or acidic? I am sure it's better made fresh but I buy in cartons and love it. Can't find info online as to the PH. Thanks!
Iosune says
Hi! I'm so sorry, but I don't know, so I can't help you!
Kaius says
Well, considering that the only two ingredients to this recipe are Quinoa and Water, the fact that quinoa is generally alkaline forming would mean that the milk made from said quinoa would be, too. Unless the water used was really acidic, anyway.
Nylongirl says
Thank you
Iosune says
Hi Kaius! Thanks a lot for the info!! 😀
Danielle says
quinoa is alkaline on Dr. Sebi's list of alkaline foods.
I am going to attempt this recipe, thank you!
Iosune says
Hi Danielle! Hope you like it 😀
sanny says
yas! look up on DR. Sebi! quinoa is in the alkaline list!!
Iosune says
Hi Sanny! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
Amy says
I've got to try this!
Iosune says
Hi Amy! I hope you like the milk 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I've made my own almond and cashew milk before and loved it.. definitely need to try out your quinoa milk recipe. It is seriously such a good idea and looks delicious!
Iosune says
Thanks Thalia! Homemade milks are always healthier and also taste amazing!
Lea says
I started with making almond milk, and then a combo of oat/almond. From there I wanted a cheaper option, with more protein so I moved on to my own organic soy milk. Then I wanted better taste, with even more protein so I am now making hemp milk (divine). It never occurred to me that quinoa would be another option. I will be trying this as soon as I replenish my supply.....
Thanks so much!!
Iosune says
Hi Lea! I've never tried hemp milk, thanks for the idea!!! I hope you like this recipe 😀
Katie @ Produce On Parade says
So interesting!! I am dying to try it now!
Iosune says
Thank you so much Katie <3
Evi says
This one is the best idea ever, I am so happy I found your blog! I am a massive plant milk fan, and quinoa is probably my all time favorite. Thanks so much for this greatness!
Iosune says
Thank you so much Evi!! I really LOVE your blog 😀